Writing for Visual Thinkers is an e-book textbook. The book explores various relationships between writing and design, allowing students to incorporate various ideas and methods of writing into their work. The e-book format allows for dynamic media (such as podcast interviews, video and downloadable PDF exercises), to be easily accessed. The book is currently under development and this blog is intended to create a dialogue and share ideas for book content.
{Publisher: New Riders/AIGA Press}
Monday, April 30, 2007
Books on design
Which books on design do you recommend that you find particularly well written?
I have used "Design Basics Index" by Jim Krause. It is described as: A graphic designer's guide to designing effective compositions, selecting dynamic components & developing creative concepts. Mr. Krause uses a very conversational writing style and has a diverse professional background. This text kept my students engaged and on the same plateau with my eclectic teaching style.
I really liked: Chasing the Perfect: Thoughts on Modernist Design in Out Time.
Though I think it's really best appreciated from the more seasoned designer who's had time to question their own efforts and inclinations as opposed to the newly educated.
More of a musing on where we are going and how we got there design wise.
I just subscribed to this blog so I need to read through it and see more of what the intending fields of concentration are...
I like the idea of the expansion of graphic design thinking, so a book like 'In the Bubble: Designing in a Complex World' by John Thackara is wonderful.
I also tell every class, regardless of level, that both 'No Logo' (yes, still) and 'Natural Capitalism: Creating the Next Industrial Revolution' by Hawkin, Lovins and Lovins, are both must-reads for any designer serious about understanding his/her role in a culture. Also, Fritjof Capra's 'The Hidden Connections: A Science for Sustainable Living' offers great insight into the systems view of existing, and Csikszentmihalyi's 'Creativity,' is always good.
Those are not, admittedly, pure graphic design books, but at the graduate level, at least, they are important portals into worlds that inform graphic design.
'Visual Communication: From Theory to Practice' by Jonathon Baldwin and Lucienne Roberts is a good blend of theory and practice in a way that makes it all accessible to younger minds. That's a tough trick, and I think that book does it well.'Visible Signs: an Introduction to Semiotics' by David Crow strives for a similar introductory blend of act and thought;not an easy task. And, since we're on it, Robert s' 'Drip-dry Shirts: The Evolution of the Graphic Designer' also provides a good mix. Yes, these are all from AVA, which might say something about their philosophy. (I don't work for them).
4 comments:
I have used "Design Basics Index" by Jim Krause. It is described as: A graphic designer's guide to designing effective compositions, selecting dynamic components & developing creative concepts.
Mr. Krause uses a very conversational writing style and has a diverse professional background. This text kept my students engaged and on the same plateau with my eclectic teaching style.
I really liked:
Chasing the Perfect: Thoughts on Modernist Design in Out Time.
Though I think it's really best appreciated from the more seasoned designer who's had time to question
their own efforts and inclinations as
opposed to the newly educated.
More of a musing on where we are going and how we got there design wise.
I just subscribed to this blog so I need to read through it and see more of what the intending fields of concentration are...
The Name of the Rose by Umberto Eco
Technopoly by Neil Postman
George, Be Careful by George Lois
I like the idea of the expansion of graphic design thinking, so a book like 'In the Bubble: Designing in a Complex World' by John Thackara is wonderful.
I also tell every class, regardless of level, that both 'No Logo' (yes, still) and 'Natural Capitalism: Creating the Next Industrial Revolution' by Hawkin, Lovins and Lovins, are both must-reads for any designer serious about understanding his/her role in a culture. Also, Fritjof Capra's 'The Hidden Connections: A Science for Sustainable Living' offers great insight into the systems view of existing, and Csikszentmihalyi's 'Creativity,' is always good.
Those are not, admittedly, pure graphic design books, but at the graduate level, at least, they are important portals into worlds that inform graphic design.
'Visual Communication: From Theory to Practice' by Jonathon Baldwin and Lucienne Roberts is a good blend of theory and practice in a way that makes it all accessible to younger minds. That's a tough trick, and I think that book does it well.'Visible Signs: an Introduction to Semiotics' by David Crow strives for a similar introductory blend of act and thought;not an easy task. And, since we're on it, Robert
s' 'Drip-dry Shirts: The Evolution of the Graphic Designer' also provides a good mix. Yes, these are all from AVA, which might say something about their philosophy. (I don't work for them).
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